newsletter
Servant Ministries, Inc.
Issue No. 98 Ira & Judy Milligan Jul 1, 2006

Recommended Reading
Getting Started
by Felicity Dale 

I don't often recommend books but for those who are interested in the "house church" movement that is presently taking the world by storm, Getting Started is an excellent "how to" book on the subject. You can order it through www.amazon.com 

Fall Conference? 

I need to know of how many of you would be interested in attending a conference south of the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area in mid or late September of this year. I've been seeking God about when and where we should hold our next conference and I'm prayerfully considering that area for our next one.

It's important for you to let me know if you are interested. You can call, e-mail me or drop me a note in the accompanying envelope. If I get a sufficient response, I'll find out more information about the area so that I can give you the date, time and place before too much longer. 

The Prophet's Perspective
Our Inheritance 

There are few passages in scripture more special than Psalm 103:2-5, where the psalmist exhorts his own soul to remember God's precious benefits: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Serving God certainly has its benefits! Sure there are problems. Everything in life has its share, but nothing this world has to offer can compare to the blessings that God has promised His kids.

He couldn't have stated it more plainly; mercy, healing and health ­ nay, more than health, renewed youth and vitality, ­ all are included in our covenant with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is part of the atonement.

Isaiah prophesied that Jesus, "was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). To which Paul added, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Rom. 8:31-32).

Healing is a major part of God's provision for us. It is as much a part of our inheritance as forgiveness of sins is. Both are ours through the adoption. But, one might rightly ask, if healing is ours by inheritance (as distinguished from receiving something because we merit it by "our righteousness"), why, then, does so much sickness still exist in the body of Christ?

The problem certainly isn't that God is unwilling to heal us or that He has made healing hard to obtain ­ the problem lies with us. We stay sick because of our unbelief. Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matt. 9:29).

Once, while under the pressure of a very severe and agonizing trial, in frustration I cried out to God, "Lord, where does Satan get such great power from?" God responded instantly, "Through his lies!" The enemy of our souls has deceived us into believing his lies instead of believing God's infallible, immutable promises.

If we believe God's Word, we receive accordingly. If we believe Satan's lies, we receive accordingly. There is no difference. In the same way we believe God for mercy, we are to believe Him for healing or provision or guidance or whatever else we may need. Jesus said, "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [that are needful for the body] shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33).

We are children of God and through adoption, Christ's brothers and sisters. When Jesus fulfilled the just requirements of the Law, He obtained every precious promise and through His death, made it part of our inheritance. Through the Gospel, all things are ours. Paul said that God, "gives us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:17).

Jesus abundantly demonstrated the benefits of the Gospel, "Jesus went about..., preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His will has not changed. He still wants us healed and healthy.

"Helping Hands"

I want to use this space to offer a special thank you to those who have helped us financially as we've traveled throughout the world these past eight years. With your help, God has met our every need. God bless You for your help! 

Prayer Partners' Update

Although it has been nice, even necessary, for us to take some time off and rest awhile, I don't think it will last too much longer. I need your prayers for God's clear, certain direction for what's next. I've received several invitations to come minister, both at home and abroad, but I'm just not settled in my spirit as to which ones to accept.

We are still praying about our move to Colorado. We are supposed to build a ministry training center there ­ and soon, I hope! Several of you have already expressed a desire to come to some of the training sessions. Help us pray it into reality.

I mentioned last month that besides rest, another reason we are taking some time off is to help take care of Judy's Dad. He passed away June 17th, the day before Father's Day (he was 93 years old). He will be greatly missed. Please keep Judy in your prayers, and thanks, friends. We love you guys. You are a blessing! 

Testimony Time

(The following testimony is slightly edited for space.) Karen and I have been married for eighteen years. Although I was raised in a Christian home with a praying mom and dad, I only half heartily served God. My wife, on the other hand, had never served Him and didn't want anything to do with God, Church or the Christian establishment. This was just the way she was raised.

About seven years ago I started feeling that I had to do more toward the work of God. Needless to say this didn't set well with Karen. A cousin and I would go to Shreveport and Houston and do street ministry. This would irritate her pretty bad. This, along with other things in our lives, was causing severe problems. We had decided that our best bet was to divorce and quit making each other miserable. This was in December or January and I received your newsletter reminding everyone of the Branson Conference. I knew that I had to go because I needed direction.

When I would go to do any type of ministry or go to church, I would always invite Karen. I always knew she would refuse the invitation, but I would invite her anyway. After reading your newsletter, as always, I invited her to accompany me to Branson. I got the shock of my life. She kinda ducked her head and said "Yes, I had better go with you". The devil fought her going every step of the way but she persisted and came with me.

When we arrived Karen was overwhelmed by the love the people at the conference showed her. For once she felt that she was a part of something. Sandy and Billy prophesied over us and we were greatly encouraged! When you see them again please tell them thanks for hearing God's voice for us.
Well, to bring this to a close, Branson was a starting-over point for us and the "D" word isn't mentioned in our house anymore. Karen has already marked our calendar and is inviting people to go with us next year to the conference. Thanks again for hearing the voice of God. E. Buford.